Surge in passenger traffic highlights close cross-Strait bonds on 'mini three links' routes

Passenger traffic on the "mini three links" routes between Taiwan and the mainland surged during the summer vacation, highlighting the close bonds across the Taiwan Strait, a mainland spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, noted that the strong performance of these routes reflects the deep connections between people on both sides of the Strait.

The ferry routes, connecting coastal areas in Fujian province with the islands of Jinmen and Matsu, are crucial for travel and exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan. During the summer, the Xiamen-Jinmen route alone operated 1,550 ferries, accommodating 386,400 passenger trips — an increase of 11.4 percent and 24.1 percent year-on-year, respectively.

On Aug 23, daily passenger trips on this route exceeded 7,900, the highest since operations resumed in 2023.

To manage the increased traffic, mainland authorities enhanced service capacity by extending operating hours, streamlining customs procedures, strengthening maritime safety, and improving passenger services. Smart systems were also implemented to ensure efficient and smooth clearance.

Zhang emphasized that the "mini three links" routes have been operating safely and efficiently, and she encouraged more people from Taiwan to travel to the mainland using these routes.